Ballerific Women: A’ja Wilson Becomes First-Ever Four-Time MVP in WNBA History [Video]

A’ja Wilson has officially entered WNBA history as the league’s first four-time Most Valuable Player.

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The Las Vegas Aces star received the honor for the second consecutive season, cementing her status as one of the sport’s most dominant players.

The 2025 MVP race had been closely contested, with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier posing a strong challenge. Wilson ultimately captured 51 first-place votes and a total of 657 points, narrowly surpassing Collier, who earned 18 first-place votes and 534 points. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas finished third with three first-place votes and 391 points. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell completed the top five with 180 and 93 points, respectively.

Wilson was presented with the MVP trophy in a surprise ceremony following practice on Friday.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert joined Wilson’s boyfriend, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, to celebrate the achievement.

Overcome with emotion, Wilson addressed her teammates: “It hasn’t been easy for us. They counted us out. They wrote us all off, but we showed up every single day. … It has my name on it, but it’s all of us. There is no [award] without each and every last one of you guys.”

This award places Wilson ahead of former three-time MVPs Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She also becomes one of only two players in league history to earn back-to-back MVP honors and one of only two unanimous MVP selections, alongside Cynthia Cooper, who won the award in 1997 and 1998.

Becky Hammon, Wilson’s coach with the Las Vegas Aces, highlighted the significance of her achievement: “There’s no Mount Rushmore. You are the only one. You’re Everest.”

Wilson’s performance this season and her historic recognition reflect not only her individual skill but also the contribution of her teammates and the Las Vegas Aces organization.